Company Strike-Off DS01 Template (UK)

Strike-off is only for an eligible company

GOV.UK explains that voluntary strike-off is for a company that can be closed without liquidation. Broadly, the company should not have traded or otherwise carried on business, changed name, sold off stock or rights, or engaged in certain activity in the preceding three months, and it must not be threatened with liquidation or subject to creditor arrangements such as a company voluntary arrangement.

If the company has debts, live contracts, employees, disputes, creditor pressure, insolvency risk or trading activity that falls outside the strike-off conditions, the safer route may be voluntary liquidation or formal insolvency advice rather than a DS01 application. The template therefore starts with eligibility rather than with signatures.

Director approval and interested-party notice

The application must be made by the directors and, for DS01, signed by a majority of them. The company also needs to notify relevant interested parties, such as members, creditors, employees, managers or trustees of employee pension funds and anyone who later becomes a director, member or creditor before dissolution.

This worksheet records the approval meeting or written decision, the directors who approved the application, and the notice list. It avoids the common defect in generic dissolution templates: a neat resolution that never proves the people who could object were told.

Assets, bank accounts and bona vacantia

Companies House and GOV.UK warn that once a company is dissolved, its bank account can be frozen and remaining assets pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. That is not a formality. Cash, domain names, vehicles, IP, stock, deposits, refunds and receivables should be identified and distributed or transferred before applying.

This template includes an asset-disposal schedule, creditor and tax confirmation, bank-account closure notes and documentary evidence. It also cross-links naturally to asset-register and asset-purchase templates rather than pretending DS01 itself transfers assets.

Gazette notice and objection period

After Companies House accepts the application, a notice is normally published in The Gazette. If there is no objection, the company is usually struck off after the notice period stated in the official guidance. Creditors and others can object if the company should not be dissolved.

The worksheet tracks the application date, Gazette publication, objection deadline and any objections or withdrawals. That matters because directors should not treat filing DS01 as the end of their responsibility. If circumstances change, the application may need to be withdrawn.

Fees and current official routes

As of the Companies House guidance updated for 1 February 2026, applying online to strike off and dissolve a company costs GBP 13, while paper DS01 costs GBP 18 and should be used only where the company cannot apply online. Fees and filing channels can change, so the page cites the official source rather than baking the fee into the document text as if it will always be current.

This page should be used beside the official Companies House service. It prepares board approval, eligibility, notices, assets and records; it does not submit the strike-off application and does not replace the DS01 form or online service.

Worksheet guide

Eligibility check

Confirms no recent trading, stock sale, name change, liquidation threat or creditor arrangement makes strike-off unsuitable.

Director approval

Records the board decision and confirms the application is authorised by the required directors.

Interested parties

Lists members, creditors, employees, pension trustees, managers and other people who must be notified.

Creditor and tax position

Records settlement, final returns and any reason the company should seek insolvency or tax advice before filing.

Asset disposal

Tracks cash, accounts, IP, stock, equipment, receivables and other assets before dissolution.

DS01 details

Prepares the company number, name, applicant details and filing route for the official service or paper form.

Gazette and objection log

Tracks publication, objection period, objections, withdrawals and evidence.

Records retention

Keeps the decision pack, notices, final accounts, tax evidence and distribution records after dissolution.

UK strike-off checklist

Check each point before using the official Companies House service or DS01.

• Confirm strike-off eligibility

  The company should not have traded or otherwise carried on business, changed name, sold off stock or rights, or engaged in other restricted activity in the relevant three-month period.

  GOV.UK - strike off your company

• Use the official Companies House filing route

  Companies House provides the online strike-off service and paper DS01. As of 1 February 2026 guidance, online filing costs GBP 13 and paper DS01 costs GBP 18.

  Companies House - DS01 form

• Get majority-director approval

  DS01 must be signed by a majority of the directors, and the company should keep the board decision or written approval with its records.

  GOV.UK - apply to strike off

• Notify interested parties

  Members, creditors, employees, managers, pension trustees and others who may be affected should receive the statutory notice after the application.

• Deal with assets before dissolution

  After dissolution, bank accounts can be frozen and remaining assets pass to the Crown as bona vacantia. Close accounts and transfer or distribute assets first.

  GOV.UK - apply to strike off

• Watch for objections and withdrawal events

  The Gazette notice gives creditors and others a chance to object. If the company becomes ineligible or continues business, the application may need to be withdrawn.

• Use insolvency advice where debts remain

  Strike-off is not a substitute for liquidation where the company cannot pay debts or creditors are at risk.

How to prepare for DS01

1. Check eligibility. Confirm the company can use voluntary strike-off and is not better handled through liquidation or insolvency advice.
2. Approve the application. Record the director decision and majority-director approval.
3. Deal with assets and debts. Close bank accounts, transfer or distribute assets, settle creditors and confirm tax steps.
4. Prepare notices. List interested parties and keep evidence that they were notified.
5. File and monitor. Use the Companies House online service or DS01, then track Gazette publication, objections and any withdrawal event.

Frequently asked questions

Related templates

• Asset Purchase Agreement Template (UK)
• Asset Register Template (UK)